New documentary investigates the mystery of Mexico’s missing 43

Nearly a year since the disappearance of 43 students in Mexico, a new report released Sunday concludes that there is no evidence to support the Mexican government’s claim that the students were burned to ashes at a landfill in the state of Guerrero.

The government has now ordered a new investigation into the matter, weeks before a new documentary is set to be released on the disappearances that have prompted international outrage.

“The 500-page report by this human rights group refuted and contradicted everything the government has been saying to the Mexican people,” said documentary filmmaker Charlie Minn, whose new documentary “43” will be released October 9th.

The Mexican government claims the 43 missing students were incinerated at a municipal landfill outside of Iguala state at the hands of the Guerreros Unidos drug cartel. The report released on Sunday from the Inter American Human Rights Commission, a group of independent experts, only furthers deepens the mystery and distrust between Mexicans and their government since the disappearance of these students on September 26, 2014.

Filmmaker Minn spoke to the parents of the missing 43, experts and journalists, and while his documentary stops short of concluding what happened to them, the film does point to a cover up by the government.

Anabel Hernandez, an intrepid journalist described by many as the bravest woman in Mexico, is featured in the film and has evidence to suggest a Mexican cover up.

“She got court documents in Mexico. She said this was the army, this was the federal police…when she speaks people listen,” Minn said.

Minn emphasizes while his documentary does not uncover direct evidence offering another alternative to the government’s account, he does believe the 43 students are dead, despite the fact that their parents are still holding out hope.

“They believe that their sons are alive,” Minn said. “I personally do not because you would have figured they would have heard from them in some form. Did the government just take them away and put tape around their mouths for about a year? I hate to say it… I hope they are alive.”

The new report does mention that the students likely hijacked a public bus in Iguala, as part of a demonstration, which happened to be transporting heroin bringing them into the crosshairs of the local Guerreros Unidos cartel.

“This case has gotten the most attention, because they were 43 innocent students,” Minn said. “We have no resolve from this, and I think this really woke up Mexico, and said ‘no more.’”